ADVENTURE

Let's get real.

Studying in Cavite National Science High School, a Regional Science High School, is both a privilege and a burden.

It feels good to gave that title and x-factor when somebody calls you a Sayanista/Scholar/Little-Scientist and when people look up to you at some certain point or aspect, but behind these titles come great responsibilities. These titles aren't given to us without a reason.

In this school, you have to balance out everything. Even if there are many homeworks to be done, we cannot deny the fact that we also need to have social life outside the house. It is essential for HUMANS to maintain conversation to other people. You have to endure doing assignments at weekends which also means lesser time for family bonding. Not to mention the heightened competition in this school is brobdingnagian. We also have this kind of level in stress that may be compared to a average working person.

Yet, as you all can see, i'm still in this very institution. In my opinion, it would be better to suffer now than to suffer later. There are times when i'm tired of everything that we do. But it's 'my future' that keeps me going.

After all these obstacles, this institution helped me to become who I am right now (which I am pretty proud of at this moment). But to say that this institution helped on shaping my personality as a whole, would be too early. I'm not done in my journey yet. There are still so much to learn.

FINAL SALUTE

Sacrifices were made.

44 wings were cut off to save many.

They fought with dignity and died trying to complete their mission. 

But with their loss came some gains. Valuable information was obtained to be used to continue the legacy they started.

The Quote said: Heroes today... Legends tomorrow

We would consider them a hero today... but the stories to be told would go on and make them a legend tomorrow...

This also means that the deed that they have shown will never be forgotten.

For this, I would like to give my final salute to the soldiers and give my gratitude for their courage and faith.

CIRCLES OF HELL: CAVSCI VERSION

DARKNESS. Yeah, it was pretty dark...and scary. Then i'm all alone in this place. This is like the irritating moment when you try to open your eyes but you can't see anything. I don't like this. Nobody does.


Out of the blue, some warm hand grabbed my cold one. I don't really know, but I felt relieved. Then a voice said: "Hello Agnes. You seem to be lost."

I was, of course, startled. "U-uh yeah. Could you please tell me where I am? This is seriously creeping me out right now."

"You're in the first circle of hell in Cavsci wherein the students here have lost their identity."

"You mean, they don't know their selves?"

" No, this is the circle where the students with no Identification cards go"

"Did I really lose my I.D that often?"

"It's for you to remember woman!"

"Oh, okay. Sooooo what would I do now?"

"Explore the eight circles of this 'hell'."

"What? why?"

"No questions. I'll just give you the mechanics"

"Okay. Please do."

"Yes. So in this first circle for the Lost Existence has to search these dark woods for eternity to find their Identity and claim them back. This does not usually happen. The second circle lies the Dilatory comers (or Late comers) wherein they only stay in one place for a long time and would forever experience uneasiness. The third circle is where the Mischievous mundanes go. They are only given repeated verbal punishment and scratching of chalkboard. The fourth circle involves Blasphemous Acts of children where the students undergo repeated written, and verbal punishment. The fifth circle relates to the Worst kind of mischief wherein they are being punished by verbal lecture, written lecture, and lecture from their parents. The sixth circle belongs to the adamantly stubborn people wherein they would answer never ending questions and activities. In the seventh circle lies the swindlers (cheaters) wherein their eyes are taken out (practically blinded). Then the last circle would be the eighth where the tormentors reign. This is where they are trapped in a claustrophobic room and get beat up by each other. "

"Here's a map if ever you need one"

"So what would I do to the information you gave me?"

"Use it to escape"

"Wh-what?"

"Goodluck!" then I suddenly, heard a howl of a wolf.

UNDERNEATH A POPE'S CLOAK

                                         

I am wearing a Pope Francis t-shirt that day. But even if I didn't wear it, everybody still knows that the Papal visit would be held. 

To be honest, this is the first time that I have been interested in a Pope. There are so many articles and comics that I read about our current one. Is he the person that people claim him to be? I wanted to find out.

I was intrigued, excited, and curious about how Pope Francis would act in front of the Filipino people. 

Unlike the majority of the devotees, I just stayed inside the house and watched all the happenings and commotion behind a television screen. I patiently waited for his plane to land. When it did, my body got jittery and hyper. Especially that time when he first smiled at the camera. And in that moment, it felt like I had this kind of special connection between him and me (to remind you i'm just watching on television). 

This Pope never gave people a dull moment. He always make people smile even by just doing simple things. Oh, and all the statements are true. He is a humble person, very wise, charismatic, and he surely knows how to make jokes.

ALSO, the Filipinos are surprisingly well-behaved that time. It made me feel proud. The people wanted to show the Pope that they could change for the better-- that they are disciplined citizens and believers. 

In that epoch of my memories, everything seems to fall in place. It almost feels like i'm satisfied with my life. Pope Francis brought this nation as one in that short time. I'll never forget that.

That's also the moment I realized that underneath this Pope's cloak, lies a virtuous and deserving person to lead a great mass of people.

UNOBTAINABLE AT THE MOMENT

My father is working abroad.

For me and my family, that long distance is a hindrance to our happy moments together.

Yes, there are social networks that connects people in different places yet it won't replace the physical presence of a person when he's near you. It's still different. 

I get paranoid sometimes because I do love my dad very much. So, the first thing that I did is search for the culture of the place. Then, I noticed that's it's really hard to 'jump from one culture to another'. The food tastes different (because of many aspects like recipes and spices), their religion is diverse, and pretty much the attitude of local people there is divergent too. I give my praise to the OFW's who adapted to these changes just to be the bread winner of their families.

However, I searched so much about things related to working overseas that I reached the extent of reading horrible stories of Filipino workers enduring verbal abuse, getting beat up, harassed, committing suicide, etc.

So some of you may ask: The OFWs are in a vulnerable state outside the country so why bother risking their lives?

You see, the problem is the amount of salary that is being given. If they work here in Philippines, they won't get enough money to make their family survive for a month or so (even with extreme budgeting skills). Workers are under payed so this results to finding other jobs with larger salary. Most of the people in my country believes that if you work abroad, you'll get richer (or receive more money). This is quite true as far as I know.

By fixing this problem, many people won't have to suffer long distance relationships with their families.

They would be complete all the time.

I would love to experience this during my youth. But it would seem to be unobtainable at the moment.

WHEN LOVE LOSES TO REALITY....

Juliet had second thoughts of taking the sleeping potion. And when she finally drank it, Romeo thought that Juliet was really dead. He was sad but he notice that he's not mourning/grieving enough. He then realized that his love for Juliet is nothing but an 'infatuation'. He decided to try and move on with his life. When Juliet woke up, she woke up at the wrong time.

Everybody was shocked as they witnessed somebody 'arose from the dead'. Juliet insisted that she only drank a sleeping potion but people did not believe her and suggested to burn her alive for witchcraft not until Friar Lawrence supported Juliet's claim. Now, everybody knew that she only drank sleeping potion and was disappointed for she lied to many people. Everybody talked about her started from that day and Juliet felt anxious about herself. In the meanwhile, Paris felt appalled by this course of action and chose not to pursue Juliet anymore.

Romeo heard about the news that Juliet is still alive and felt a little hope and happiness. Romeo then wants to clarify and verify his hunch if he really does not love Juliet, to set things right, and to have a closure. When the star-crossed lovers met, everything wasn't as it is like before.  However, they unanimously decided to start all over again and officially re-marry each other.

Some say that their love grew deeper--not just for physical attributes for they accepted the others' flaws; but some say that their love just slowly drifted apart.

HOW TO GROW AN APPLE TREE: TRIBUTE TO ALL TEACHERS

Many of the youth in this present time does not acknowledge the energy and time that the teachers sacrifices in order to fulfill their duty and responsibility. 

There are many different types of seed but these kind of farmers only choose apple seeds. However, apple seeds also have their diversity and individuality. Some farmers sort them out while others don't. Either way, they all nurture these seeds in different ways to be able to grow them effectively so that they could bear materials that could be of help to others.

In this case, I set the students as the apple seed while the teachers as the farmers. 

Teachers are noble people. They put up with different types of students everyday (we all know this ourselves) and yet, they manage to keep their composure and keep it all intact (which is pretty hard).  

Let us all remember that without them, we won't be educated enough to be a successful person in the future. They help us achieve a better life to be able to help others similar to the way they helped us (aside from our parents). For that, I give my SALUTE and PRAISE to all teachers out there.

Now, don't forget: If you ever want to effectively grow an apple tree yourself, consult the experts; consult the teachers. 

You Touched My Inner Soul

by: Dee Mcdonald

The Clarity you gave to me,

It shone like Angel rays,
Like water rushed on golden sands,
And crashed along the bays.

The questions deep within my heart,
Confused my humble mind,
Yet when you spoke your words aloud
It seemed, no longer I was blind.

The answers all came flooding in,
They touched my inner soul,
The knowledge that you gave to me
Within my heart I hold.

I understood that the events
That troubled me somehow,
Was nothing to be frightened of,
Instead I should be Proud.

I Thank You Sir most graciously,
These words I say aloud,
For the Clarity you've given me,
Has made me feel quite proud.

INTO THE FUTURE? IN MY DREAMS!

I woke up early in the morning to start my daily routine.

It's nothing special. Eat food, brush the teeth, take a bath, dress-up and go. However, my routine is pretty uncommon in a way.

Because after doing all those things what I do is that I put on my lab coat, get out of my mansion, and drive a porsche to my own hospital and laboratory.

Yes people. I am a doctor and scientist/researcher.

While i'm on my way, my secretary just called me out of the blue.

Me: Hello?
Secretary: Yes, Hello.
Me: What seems to be your concern?
Secretary: Ma'am Oprah Winfrey would like to schedule an appointment with you.
Me: What time?
Secretary: Right away Madame. She is now in the Hospital wing C building already ma'am.
Me: Okay...Thank you very much for informing me. I'm on my way right now.


*at Hospital wing C*
Me: Good Morning Oprah. Why is one of the most influential woman in a hurry to make an appointment?
Oprah: Yes, you're that famous doctor and scientist. I just have to make an interview with you.
Me: Do you have any consent letter that I should sign?
Oprah: Right here darlin'
Me: I would sign this on one condition...
Oprah: What is this condition you may say?
Me: I would like to ask you some questions myself... just for my own knowledge...Agree or Disagree?
Oprah: I'll agree on this... just state it in the consent hun'....
Me: *signed and wrote*

*started and ended the interview: Oprah-Me*

Me: Since I have satisfied your questions, it's time for you to answer mine...You know very well that we all have flaws even though some people think they are perfect. They are the people who's afraid to lose. What would you want to say about this topic?

Oprah: oh well, since you said 'we all have flaws' yourself, you should find that one thing that you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.

Me: In business, we have this certain 'trust' issues and some are in conflict of finding real friends. what would be your insight about that.

Oprah: Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo. I guess you experience this a lot. But what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. Find that person.

Me: Last Question... what would you advice my past self? the one who's deep asleep right now?

wait...what?

Oprah: Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you. You should wake up now sleepy he--

KRINGKRINGKRINGKRINGKRINGKRINGKRINGKRINGKRINGKRINGKRING!!!!

I KNEW IT. THAT WAS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.

ugh. I should stop dreaming vividly and lucidly. Oh well, at least I got to be that person I hope to be...for a while.


_________________________________________________________________________________

HEY GUYS! so my blog for today is about the ever influential talk show host, author, philanthropist, actress and media personality Oprah Winfrey who played a key role in modern American life, shaping cultural trends and promoting various liberal causes. Through her talk shows and books, she has focused on many issues facing American women. I have that certain amount of respect for her for she has been an important role model for black American women, breaking down many invisible barriers. She stood as a good example for women.  (source:http://www.biographyonline.net/humanitarian/oprah-winfrey.html)

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO

                          I also wanted to make this as a tribute to my now deceased grandfather (in my fathers' side). He always recommends this book for its good plot.


SUMMARY:

Edmon Dantes, a nineteen year old, stired up jealousy among his colleagues due to his position in the ship as captain, his engagement to a lovely maiden named Mercedes, and for the fortune and achievements that he obtained at such a young age. This situation eventually lead to his imprisonment at the day of his wedding because Danglars (treasurer of Dantes's ship), Caderousse (Dantes's neighbor), and Ferdinand (his cousin that is also in love with Mercedes) accused him of treason. While in prison, he met this man named Abbe Faria who told him about the hidden treasure in the island of Monte Cristo. At some point of time, Faria died. Somehow, Edmon managed to escape by using this situation and sought to find Faria's spoken treasure.

Eventually, Edmon obtained the hidden treasure and vowed to repay those who helped him throughout his lifetime and swore revenge on those who made him suffer. The story revolves on Edmon's vengeance which he finally gets at the end of the story plus a new love interest named Haydee, the daughter of Ali Pacha (A Greek Vizier).


ELEMENTS OF PROSE:

Some of the Characters:

Edmond Dantes -  The main protagonist. Dantes is an intelligent, honest, and loving man who turned vengeful after he is framed. He presumed the identity of being The Count of Monte Cristo when he emerges from prison and inherits the fortune.

Lord Wilmore -  The identity of an eccentric English nobleman that Dantes assumes when committing acts of random generosity but contrasted sharply to Monte Cristo.

Mercédès -  Dantès’s beautiful ex -fiancée. She married Ferdinand Mondego even though she is still in love with Edmond Dantes. 

Abbé Faria -  A priest and a thinker whom Dantès meets in prison. He is the one who told Monte Cristo where his fortune is.

Fernand Mondego -  An antagonist. He is the cousin of Edmon and the one who framed him because of his infatuation with Mercedes. He took on the name of the Count de Morcerf as the story passed by. 

Baron Danglars -  He is the one who hatched the plot to frame Dantès for treason. He also became wealthy and powerful but was brought down by Monte Cristo.

Caderousse -  A lazy, drunk, and greedy man. He did not take an active part in the crime. 

Ali Pacha  -  A Greek nationalist leader whom Mondego betrayed. He and his family were sold into slavery.

Plot

Introduction:
Edmon Dantes was a young captain of a ship that has a perfect life until he was framed for treason and was imprisoned.

Rising Action:
He met a priest who told him about his treasure in Monte Cristo. When that priest died, he took advantage of the situation and escaped.

Conflict:
He is still finding his way to the hidden treasure.

Climax:
He found the treasure and swore revenge on those who made him suffer.

Falling action:
He was successful of his vengeance but had little guilt inside.

Denouement:
He lived a happy life after and found a new love interest.

Point of view:
Third person point of view

Theme:
This story tries to open up about the limits of human justice, the struggle between family and true happiness, and estrangement in love.

I THINK CONTINUALLY OF THOSE WHO WERE TRULLY GREAT (VIDEO)